Experimental method Flashcards
What is an aim?
A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate.
The purpose of the study.
What is a hypothesis?
A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.
Hypothesis can be either ___ or _____.
Directional
Non-directional
What is a directional hypothesis?
A hypothesis that states the direction of the difference or relationship.
When would we use a directional hypothesis?
When there are theories or previous research studies to suggest a particular outcome.
Which hypothesis is called a one-tailed hypothesis?
Directional.
What is a non-directional hypothesis?
Does not state the direction of the difference or relationship.
When would we use a non-directional hypothesis?
When there is no prior research or theories into the topic or the findings from earlier studies are contradictory.
What is an independent variable?
The aspect of the experimental situation which is manipulated by the researcher.
What is a dependent variable?
The variable that is measured by the researcher.
What is a variable?
Anything that can vary or change within an investigation.
What is operationalisation?
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured.
What is the type of variable which must remain constant in a research study called?
A control variable.
Why do we need to operationalist variables?
So that another researcher could easily replicate the study in the same way with no questions about how to measure each variable.
